Guitar pedal dimensions can typically be grouped by brand, with limited variation within those brands. For example, the typical Boss pedal is always 2.87 x 5 inches. While there are smaller and larger form stompboxes, this is an extremely typical size for a single effects unit with only one bypass switch.
You could also break up dimensions by pedals that are positioned as portrait or landscape.
Here's what I mean:
- Portrait: Taller than they are wide (often for pedals with single switch)
- Landscape: Wider than they are tall (often for pedals with multiple switches)
Here's an example of a single switch pedal that's higher than it is wide:
In most cases, pedals have more height than width, and utilize a simple rectangular shape, like the small Boss pedals.
If you have a pedal with multiple switches on the front, you might have a landscape design where the pedal is much wider than it is tall, like this Line 6 DL4:
Some pedals are wider than they are tall and larger overall, like this Line 6 DL4 delay modeler which measures 10 inches wide and six inches tall.
Again, these are just some of the common measurements you'll see in the more popular pedals. To get a better feel of what kind of guitar pedal dimensions are out there, here are a few examples of well-known pedals and their dimensions.
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Examples of Typical Guitar Pedal Dimensions
Recommend a guitar pedal dimension
- Amptweaker Small Form: 2.7 x 4.65 inches
- Boss single switch: 2.87 x 5 inches
- Boss double switch (larger frame): 6.8 x 6.25
- DigiTech Whammy: 6.5 x 7.75 inches
- EHX Big Muff: 5.5 x 6.8 inches
- EHX Small Clone: 3.3 x 5.1 inches
- Ibanez Tube Screamer Classic: 2.37 x 4.37 inches
- Line 6 Modeler Pedals: 10 x 6 inches
- Small MXR Pedals (Phase 90, Dyna Comp, etc.): 2.3 x 4.3 inches
- Morley Wah Pedals: 9.13 x 5.88 inches
- ProCo Rat Two: 3.5 x 4 inches
- Strymon Small Form: 4 x 4.5 inches
- Strymon Large Form: 6.75 x 5.1 inches
- TC Electronic Mini (Ditto looper): 1.9 x 3.7 inches
- TC Electronic Single Stomp (Hall of Fame, Flashback, etc.): 2.8 x 4.8 inches
- Way Huge: 3.75 x 4.7 inches
- Walrus Audio Large Form (Descent Reverb): 5.6 x 4.6 inches
Typical Depth Measurements
Most of the time, those looking for guitar pedal dimensions are only concerned with the width and height of each pedal, while the depth is a bit of an afterthought. In most cases, a guitar pedal's depth isn't going to impact your pedalboard planning, but for the sake of reference, it's usually somewhere between 1.5 and 2.5 inches, from the highest point of the stompbox to where the pedal meets the floor.
What about space between each pedal?
If you're trying to figure out which pedalboard to buy, you'll also need to account for the space between the pedals you're using.
For example, if you have two Boss pedals, you'll need to plan for 2.87" + 2.87" plus the distance between those pedals, which will usually depend on the type of connector you're using.
Here are some of the most common connectors and the space they create between pedals:
- Regular angled patch cable: 1.5 to 2.5 inches
- Low profile patch cable: 0.5 to 1 inch
- Straight pedal coupler: 1.5 to 2 inches
In terms of minimizing space between pedals, the low profile patch cables are by far your best options.
How I/O Jack Location Impacts Dimensions
As you can see, the location of a pedal's cable jacks will impact the dimensional footprint of a given pedal.
There are two different places these jacks can be installed:
- One on each side
- Two on the top
The "one on each side" setup is the most common (see in the Boss pedals I mentioned previously), though in recent years, a lot of pedal manufacturers have started placing the i/o jacks on the top of their pedal, which can all but eliminate the need for any additional space between two pedals setup this way.
Wampler's Latitude Deluxe tremolo is one of the pedals with this setup:
Having i/o jacks on the top of your pedal means you'll have more room on the sides for lining pedals up left to right.
Conclusion and More Guitar Pedal Dimensions
Do you have a guitar pedal that you'd like to have dimensions listed for?
I've seen a few forum posts that compile some of this information, but a lot of it isn't very complete or updated. I've added a few examples of what I believe are the more relevant pedals and their dimensions, but if you have some you'd like to share, or request, leave it in the comments section below and I'll add it to the list.
If you're looking to add to your effects collection, checkout our best guitar pedal ranking list and see what we recommend based on pedal-in-hand reviews.
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Written by Bobby on Pedals and Roundups
Written by Bobby on Guitar Pedals and How-tos
Depth absolutely *does* impact pedal board planning. Going with your estimates of 1.5 to 2.5 inches, let’s say I have two pedals of the taller variety and one of the smaller. Let’s further say they are Boss pedals, with switches as wide as the pedal. If I put the smaller pedal between the other two, I am going to have a hard time hitting that shorter pedal without accidentally hitting one or more of the other two. Ask me how I know! 😉
When/If you update this article, please include the depth measurements of all enclosures!
EHX Electric Mistress
Per Sweetwater: 3.2″ x 5.6″ x 6.2″